That was the year that was

Several people have very kindly written to thank Forest for our efforts this year.

I was careful at our 35th anniversary party in November not to give the impression we were 'celebrating' because, let's face it, smokers have little to cheer these days. Nevertheless I'm touched that people appreciate the work we do.

Thankfully it's not all doom and gloom. See the Forest Review of the Year we sent subscribers yesterday. In addition, and in no particular order, here are some of the things I'll remember from 2014. The list includes some personal stuff:

1. GTNF, White Sulphur Springs
This year's Global Tobacco Networking Forum took place at the historic Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia (above). A feature of the hotel is a bunker that was built to house Congress in the event of a nuclear attack. After the conference (where I gave a presentation urging the tobacco companies not to forget smokers in their rush to embrace e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco) I spent three wonderful days in Washington. (Note to self: must visit America more often.)

2. Stand Up For Freedom!
Even with the support of Conservatives for Liberty I was nervous about organising a stand up comedy event at the Hyatt Hotel in Birmingham during the Tory conference. In addition to a "first class" PA system we had to hire staging and lighting. Other riders requested by our headline act included a private room "with space to hang clothing", a full length mirror and light refreshments. Thankfully the event went really well, stand up comedian Alistair Barrie was a trooper, and the biggest problem was having to turn people away because the room was so full.

3. Forest's 35th anniversary party
Two hundred guests including half a dozen MPs and a substantial amount of 'free' food and drink contributed to a great evening. There were some excellent speeches and I was particularly pleased that Joe Jackson travelled from Berlin to join us. Our live band, Hidden Charms, have since recorded an album (in LA no less), to be released next year. Listen to their debut single Sunnyside here and watch this video of the event.

4. Downing Street delivery
On August 5, following a short but intensive campaign, we delivered 53,000 letters to the PM at 10 Downing Street. Signed by members of the public they expressed people's strong opposition to plain packaging of tobacco. As we walked up to the famous front door, supporters outside the main gate held placards with the clear message, 'Say no to plain packaging'. Two days later, in response to the government's "final" consultation on the policy, we submitted a duplicate set plus 97,000 petition responses to the Department of Health in south London. Last but not least a further 8,000 emails were sent to the DH electronically. On a limited budget I don't think there's a lot more we could have done.

5. Diane Abbott: "People like him"!
In 2014 Forest clocked up over 1500 media 'hits' (or mentions), online or in print. I also appeared regularly on TV and radio including BBC News, ITV News, Sky News, Five Live and the Today programme (Radio 4). The most intensive day involved 24 radio and TV interviews, many of them back to back. Many interviews are instantly forgettable but those I remember include Sunday Politics (BBC1) and Daily Politics (BBC2) where I was interviewed live in the studio by Andrew Neil. My Daily Politics appearance was notable for former Labour health minister Diane Abbott pointing her finger at me and referring dismissively to "people like him".

6. Ukip Conference
I'm not a great fan of party conferences (far too many lobbyists!!) so when I was invited to book a Hands Off Our Packs stand at the Ukip conference in Doncaster I was sceptical. However when Nigel Farage (finally!) paid the stand a visit and declared his opposition to plain packaging, giving us the soundbite we'd hoped for, it suddenly seemed like a good idea. Unfortunately it didn't make the news because 90 minutes later the Ukip leader unveiled a second Tory defector (Mark Reckless) and after that there was only one story in town. Then again, Friday night in Doncaster was a hoot – but that's another story.

7. The Spectator Cigar Smoker of the Year
You wait all your life to meet one A-list celebrity then two come along at the same time. Sadly I didn't press the flesh with Kelsey Grammer or Arnold Schwarzenegger but I did shake the hand of someone who did. Will that do?

8. "World's most expensive cross-Channel ferry"
Much to my wife's annoyance we had very little in the way of a holiday this year. Therefore, to celebrate Clare's 50th birthday in November I booked a mini-cruise with friends on Cunard's Queen Victoria. By modern standards the ship is relatively small, which I prefer, and if you book the right cabins (which I did) there's an air of exclusivity that appeals to a snob like me. The Queen Vic also looks like a proper ship, not a Las Vegas resort. Sailing from Southampton we didn't travel far but the experience was a step up from previous cruises we've been on. It was a great way to spend a few days although, as always, I came off several pounds heavier than when I went on.

9. The amazing Highland Line
Following a provincial Scottish football team is a thankless task at the best of times. In March however I caught the Friday night sleeper from Euston to Inverness to see a Scottish Cup quarter final tie between my team, Dundee United, and Inverness CT. Ironically the game was live on TV (on the Sunday) but I'm so glad I went. United won 5-0 but the best bit was waking up at 6.00am on Saturday and experiencing the breathtaking scenery from the 'comfort' of my bed on board the train. Highly recommended.

And finally …

10. My father's funeral
I'm not being flippant. My father died in June, aged 84. He had his first heart by-pass at the age of 58 and 15 years ago had a full heart transplant. In recent years he'd been on dialysis after his kidneys failed and he spent three days a week in hospital attached to a machine. His will to live was extraordinary but it was a relief, in some ways, when his body finally said "enough". He died at home, as he wanted, with his family at his side. Everything about the funeral was perfect. A better send off would be hard to imagine.

And with that, I wish you (in advance) a very Happy New Year!

Comments

[vapingpoint]

Thank you Simon for your good wishes. Sorry about your Dad. Hope you have an excellent 2015!